Lisa paced anxiously in her bedroom, glancing out the window every few seconds, hoping to catch a glimpse of Klaus.
"Will he even walk back?" she scoffed to herself, knowing full well he and the other demons had a habit of simply appearing and disappearing at will.
Suddenly, she sensed a presence behind her. Spinning swiftly, she found Maradona standing by the doorway.
"Meet me in the garden," Maradona ordered before vanishing.
Lisa exhaled heavily. She wasn't about to sit in her chambers, waiting in fear of crossing paths with Vorgath before Klaus returned.
Summoning newfound courage, she stepped out of her bedroom and made her way down the corridor. As she passed the massive hourglass, she noted that the sand had almost leveled out on both sides.
A small smile formed on her lips. "He'll be back soon."
When Lisa arrived at the garden, Maradona was already there, standing before eight young women.
"Come here," Maradona commanded with a frown.
Lisa approached cautiously, keeping a careful distance between them.
"I don't know why Klaus insisted you choose your maids personally, but here we are," Maradona said, gesturing toward the women before her.
Lisa's gaze swept across their faces. Each one wore a polite smile, but she could feel the underlying tension.
"Hurry up and pick two maids," Maradona snapped, irritated by Lisa's hesitation. "We don't have all day."
Lisa turned her attention to a slim woman standing at the far end. "You," she said. "What's your name?"
The woman stepped forward. "Helen, my lady."
Lisa nodded. "I choose her."
Maradona's expression darkened. Why her?
Her gaze flickered toward the other maids—women she trusted, women who were loyal to her. She needed someone in Lisa's circle to keep an eye on her.
"Fine," Maradona said tightly. "Now, pick another."
"I want only her," Lisa replied firmly.
Maradona's hands clenched into fists. "I give the orders here. Pick another maid."
Lisa shook her head. She could sense the hostility emanating from the other women. The last thing she wanted was an enemy in her personal quarters.
"Lisa Moonstar," Maradona growled, her patience wearing thin.
Before Lisa could reply, a voice interrupted.
"She already made her decision. Why does it bother you so much?"
Beckam strolled toward them, her tone laced with amusement.
Maradona shot her a sharp glare. "Mind your business."
"And I was doing just that," Beckam countered, crossing her arms. "But if you plan on intimidating Lisa, I'll have to step in."
Maradona let out a mocking chuckle. She knew Beckam was powerful, but could she truly challenge her?
"I didn't realize you cared for her so much," Maradona sneered.
Lisa, however, was no longer paying attention to their exchange. Her eyes had caught movement at the palace entrance—a black cloak swaying as someone walked in.
Her heart skipped.
"Klaus," she whispered, immediately forgetting the two women's feud.
---
Lisa hurried inside, scanning the area frantically.
"Klaus?" she called, searching for him. But he was gone.
Did he go to his chamber already?
"Do you need something?"
Lisa gasped as Klaus materialized before her.
She shut her eyes tightly, exasperated. "Can you all stop appearing and disappearing like that?" she huffed.
Klaus simply waited, his expression unreadable.
"Nothing?" he asked again when she remained silent.
Lisa swallowed. She needed to stall him.
"Well… you… you brought me here," she stammered.
"Do you want to leave?" he cut in.
She shook her head instantly. "No. I need to stay."
Not until she was strong enough to return and deal with Davin and Sia. "Because I will go back for them." She thought.
"No. I just don't know my way around," she quickly said. "I was hoping you'd show me around, since you're the only one I trust."
Klaus's gaze shifted toward the door. Where he spotted Helen and also knew that was the maid Lisa chosed.
"She will show you around," he decided.
Lisa turned to see Helen standing quietly nearby.
"But I… I wanted you to do it," she admitted hesitantly.
Klaus exhaled and turned to leave. He had no time to entertain her whims.
Lisa panicked. "If he goes to his chamber, he could be walking into a trap."
Before she could think, the words tumbled out of her mouth.
"I want you to spend the night in my chamber."
The moment the sentence left her lips, realization hit.
Her eyes widened in horror as gasps filled the room.
Beckam's lips curled into an amused smirk. Maradona, on the other hand, looked like she was ready to kill her.
Even Klaus halted mid-step, turning to stare at her.
Lisa slapped a hand over her mouth. "Oh no. Oh no, no, no. What did I just say?!"
"I-I mean—" she stammered, scrambling for an explanation.
But there was no saving this. The damage was done.
"Lisa, you—" Maradona started furiously.
Klaus raised a hand, silencing her. His gaze remained locked on Lisa.
"As you wish," he said simply.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished.
Lisa frowned. "Wait, where did he go?!"
"Come back!" she called, stamping her foot in frustration.
She hadn't wanted him to go to his chamber—but now she had no idea where he had disappeared to.
Helen stepped forward cautiously. "My lady?"
Lisa sighed, rubbing her temples. "What have I done?"
"Shall we return to your chambers?" Helen suggested gently. She had noticed the other queens glaring daggers at Lisa. It was safer to retreat for now.
Lisa pursed her lips and nodded, marching down the corridor with Helen trailing behind.
As they walked, Lisa growled under her breath, "Why does everyone keep disappearing on me?"
Helen chuckled softly. "It's their nature, my lady."
Lisa sighed. "I really wish they'd stop showing off—especially around a wolf who can't even shift."
Helen hesitated before asking, "Should I prepare you for your night with the King?"
Lisa stopped walking. "Prepare me?"
Helen tilted her head. "I mean… you did ask him to visit your chambers tonight, didn't you?"
Lisa's cheeks burned.
"I meant to talk! That's it!" she clarified hastily.
Helen blinked, then slowly shook her head. "I don't think the King interpreted it that way, wasn't it an invite for intimacy?"
Lisa swallowed hard.
Ohno.